What is essential to achieve when using a hunting load that touches the lands of the rifling?

When using a hunting load that touches the lands of the rifling, achieving good case tension and a polished throat is crucial. The reason for this is that when a bullet contacts the lands, it encounters the rifling grooves directly upon firing, which can significantly affect the bullet's trajectory and overall performance.

Good case tension ensures that the bullet is securely held in place within the cartridge until the round is fired, minimizing any unwanted movement that could affect accuracy. This secure fit creates a consistent and stable launch into the rifling, leading to improved accuracy and precision. Additionally, a polished throat helps to reduce friction and wear as the bullet engages the rifling, promoting a smoother passage through the barrel and minimizing the potential for deformation of the bullet. This combination allows for optimal performance of the load.

Other factors such as recoil and noise, bullet weight, velocity, and barrel fouling are important in their own contexts but do not directly address the critical aspects involved in ensuring accuracy and stability when using loads that touch the lands.